Churning in AIADMK, BJP ahead of Shah's visit to TN

BEHIND-the-screens churnings and intense speculations over the AIADMK-BJP dynamics and whether K Annamalai would remain BJP's state president continue with Union Home Minister and BJP's chief strategist Amit Shah's anticipated visit to the state soon.

- T MURUGANANDHAM @Chennai

There were strong rumours that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and expelled leader O Panneerselvam could separately meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tamil Nadu on Sunday and this would offer some clarity. These rumours, as is usually the case with rumours, did not come true. The PM's visit neither offered any clarity on Annamalai, as expected by certain sections.

Sources close to Palaniswami in fact strongly denied that there were any efforts from his side to meet Modi. BJP sources said the PM too did not prefer to meet the leaders of any other parties, including BJP's allies, during this visit.